Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS)

About GLASS

Through the Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS), Georgia’s Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and cooperating local libraries, Georgians have access to a free national library program that offers books and magazines on cassette tape and in Braille. These materials are provided by the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (NLS), to eligible persons with a visual or physical disability. All reading material and playback equipment is sent to borrowers and returned by postage-free mail.

What is Available?

Books: Recorded and braille books from a national collection that includes a variety of popular interest writings such as bestsellers, classics, mysteries, biographies, westerns, children’s books, and foreign language materials.Search the catalog for books

Magazines: Library patrons can also subscribe to over seventy popular magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Sports Illustrated, and National Geographic.Search the catalog for magazines

Equipment and Accessories: Special playback equipment is needed to listen to the books and magazines produced by NLS. This equipment is lent to eligible users free of charge for as long as the individual is a user of the reading material provided by NLS and its cooperating libraries. Accessories are available which will help readers with limited mobility or hearing impairment use the equipment.

Book Reviews and Catalogs: Registered borrowers learn about new books added to the collection through two bi-monthly publications, Talking Book Topics and Braille Book Review. These are available in large print, recorded, or braille format.

Music: Recorded music is not available through the NLS library program. However, such material is often available from local public libraries. A collection of musical scores in braille and large print; textbooks and books about music in large print and braille; and elementary instruction for voice, piano, organ, guitar, recorder, accordion, banjo, and harmonica are available in recorded form directly from NLS.Search the catalog for music